A Winter Storm Watch goes into effect at 12 p.m. Tuesday and expires at 12 p.m. Wednesday for Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee and Livingston counties in Illinois and Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter in Indiana.

The snow will start to fall at Tuesday afternoon and into early Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service said snowfall could be heavy at times, "greatly reducing visibility and making for potential hazardous travel." The Chicago area could get 3-6 inches of snow, with the highest amounts falling south of the city.

Coupled with gusting winds at 20 to 25 mph, blowing snow could further reduce visibility, the NWS said.

That led Illinois State Police to warn drivers to proceed with caution. Roads could be slick and drivers should allow for extra travel time.

Both reminded drivers to yield to emergency and snow removal equipment- salt spreaders and plows. Stranded motorists should remain in their vehicles. Officials recommend drivers have blankets and bottles of water in their cars.